Public statements or social media activity from major tech leaders

Trump Backs H-1B Visas He's Used, Aligns with Musk Amid MAGA Rift

Dec 28, 2024, 07:56 PM

President-elect Donald Trump has voiced his support for the H-1B visa program for highly skilled foreign workers, aligning himself with Elon Musk amidst a growing debate among his supporters over immigration policy. In a Saturday interview with the New York Post, Trump stated, "I've always liked the visas, I have always been in favor of the visas. That's why we have them. I have many H-1B visas on my properties. I've been a believer in H-1B. I have used it many times. It's a great program." This marks a departure from his previous criticisms of the program as "very bad" and "unfair" to U.S. workers. Trump's remarks come as Musk defended the H-1B visa program on social media, pledging to "go to war" to protect it amid criticism from some within the MAGA movement. The issue has sparked a rift within Trump's conservative base, with some opposing the program and others, including tech leaders like Musk, advocating for it as a means to bring highly skilled talent to the United States.